Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Elizabeth Bishop’s “Over 2,000 Illustrations and a Complete Concordance” is a poem that reflects upon the complexity and depth of language, particularly as it is contained within the pages of a Bible. The poem itself is structured in a way that mimics the structure of a dictionary or encyclopedia, with each stanza offering a different entry or definition related to the Bible.

The poem begins with the title itself, which serves as the first entry. The speaker reflects on the weight of the title and its implications for the contents of the book. From there, the poem moves through a variety of definitions and descriptions related to the Bible, ranging from the mundane (“archaic words”) to the profound (“mystery”), as well as the humorous (“Asphalt, used for…pitching tents?”).

Throughout the poem, Bishop uses a variety of techniques to convey the complexity of language and its relationship to the Bible. She plays with syntax and word order to create unexpected connections between different parts of speech, and she also uses puns and wordplay to add humor and irony to the poem.

One particularly notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase “over 2,000 illustrations and a complete concordance” is repeated throughout the poem, both as a way of structuring the different entries and as a way of emphasizing the weight and significance of the Bible. The repetition also highlights the idea that the Bible contains a wealth of knowledge and information, but that it requires careful study and attention to fully understand its contents.

Overall, Bishop’s “Over 2,000 Illustrations and a Complete Concordance” is a complex and nuanced exploration of language, religion, and the relationship between the two. The poem invites readers to consider the power and significance of the Bible, as well as the complexities and mysteries of language itself.

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